1( falling apart)
A month ago, my perfect life began to fall apart.
it was 13th of October, i went to my boyfriend's dormitory to meet my boyfriend, he was the perfect guy i've ever had, or that's what i thought back then.
I am in my second year of college, i study business and we had a pop quiz that i got a big F in it because i didn't study, so i needed someone to be with me at my lowest.
Before I go to him I tried to call my bestie, Ashley but she didn't pick up, so as a naïve girl in love I immediately thought of my boyfriend André but when I called him he didn't pick up either although his location showed that he was in his room.
The only thing on my mind was that either he was bathing or sleeping, I had a copy of his keys, so I went to his dorm, he had another roommate but his roommate went to India for two months, so he was supposed to be alone in his room, to cuddle me and play with my locks while cursing the professor or whatever, but that's not what happened.
I stood in front of the door when i heard some moaning from inside..My heart was pounding hard, without thinking i pushed the door quietly, my heartbeats were racing while i walk inside, only to see the man that I considered the love of my life, on top of my best friend... naked.
My mind went blank, I froze for a moment unable to process what's in front of me. I could feel my heart bleed in my ribs..
They both froze when they saw me and I didn't wait for any answer and ran away with my tears flooding hot on my cheeks, my vision was blurry as the air hit my face roughly while I cry.
why? why my best friend? when did all this begin? was i nothing from the beginning? I ran with all my strength, I wanted to escape, I didn't know where but I just wanted to escape from it all.
I don’t know how long I ran, but I ended up standing in front of a strip club. It was a place I’d never imagined stepping foot into, but that night, my mind was a blur, and I just... needed to escape. My thoughts were scattered, and somehow, my legs carried me to this place, as if they were leading me somewhere, anywhere, to forget what had just happened.
I hesitated for a moment, this wasn’t me. I had always prided myself on being in control. But right then, I couldn’t remember who I was. And so, without thinking, I pushed the door open.
The bouncer at the entrance gave me a look—one that told me I didn't belong here–
His gaze was sharp as he stepped forward, blocking the door.
‘ID,’
he said, his voice flat, unbothered.
I fumbled in my bag, my hands shaking as I pulled out my ID. I felt exposed, even though it was just a formality. What was I doing here? Why was I here? The weight of the question lingered, but I couldn’t answer it. I was still feeling my heart pounding, the image of him and Ashley still in my mind. Did they even consider me for once?
the sound of the electric instruments hit my eardrum, the club was dimly lit, with flickering neon lights casting an eerie glow on the walls. The air smelled faintly of alcohol and sweat, mixing with a touch of cheap perfume.
The hum of music echoed in the background, but it wasn’t the type of music you’d want to relax to; it was heavy, seductive, and loud enough to drown out your thoughts.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, almost suffocating. almost half-naked women moved sensually on stage, their eyes meeting the crowd's gaze with allure, their movements deliberate and precise. The low murmur of hushed voices and occasional laughter from scattered tables filled the room. Men, mostly in groups, sat at dark corners, sipping on drinks while eyes scanned the stage..
I stood there for a moment, overwhelmed by the energy of the place. Everything felt out of place, but it was like my body had dragged me here without me realizing. The music pounded in my chest, and I felt my legs leading me to the bar.
The bartender, was a guy probably in mid-thirties looked at me up and down, before asking 'your order?'
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to get. My gaze landed on a man taking two glasses of some blue drink before walking away. Without thinking, I pointed at him. 'Whatever he's having.'
'You mean a Blue Lagoon?' The bartender gave me a skeptical look before smirking. 'Fine then. One Blue Lagoon coming up.'
Moments later, he placed the glass in front of me—a bright blue drink that looked deceptively harmless.
The first sip hit me with a burst of citrus so sharp that I nearly coughed. The tang of lime mingled with a subtle sweetness, but the alcohol burned in the back of my throat. I took another sip, then another. I had never drunk alcohol before, but tonight, I just wanted something—anything—to cool the fire burning in my chest.
Before I knew it, my glass was empty, and I had already paid for a second. My vision blurred, not from the alcohol, but from the sudden sting of tears welling up in my eyes. I sniffled, trying to hold them back, but before I could stop myself, a deep, masculine voice beside me cut through the haze.
'Hey... you alright?'
I turned my head, blinking at the man sitting next to me. He looked to be in his thirties, maybe late thirties, holding a glass filled with golden liquid. His suit was crisp, expensive-looking, and his piercing blue eyes studied me with a mix of curiosity and mild concern.
And just like that, the dam broke.
'No… I failed my test,' I blurted out, my voice cracking. 'André is cheating on me… with… with my best friend! I saw them! I was such an i***t! How didn't I realize? And now… now I'm just some pathetic girl getting drunk and crying to a complete stranger…'
I let out a choked sob, but then I felt a warm hand pat my back.
'You're not pathetic,' he said smoothly. 'I mean, the failing part? Yeah, that one is on you. You should probably focus on your studies. But crying over that cheating bastard? That’s not pathetic. all girls do that.'
I hiccupped, staring at him. 'Did you just judge my grades?'
'Well, no… I'm judging your priorities. Why did you fail? Because you were too distracted by that loser, right? And now, not only do you have a cheating boyfriend, but you also have a big fat F on your record.'
I gawked at him. 'Why the hell are you talking about my grades right now?!'
'Because you're still a student, that should be your only priority..not drinking alcohol in a strip club, how old are you anyways?'
'Oh, please! And what’s a man like you doing in a strip club? Watching women take off their clothes? Cheating on your girlfriend? You men are all the same—nothing but animals!'
I snapped, half expecting him to get defensive or maybe even offended. But instead, he just chuckled, the sound deep and amused.
'Yes and no,' he said smoothly. 'Yes, I’m here to watch women strip—I am a man, after all. A straight man, at that. But no, I’m not cheating on anyone. I’m divorced. Single and free. Like a bird.'
He took a sip of his drink, then smirked at me. 'And for the record, not all men are animals. You just happened to love one that was an animal.'
I I tried to think of a comeback. He really angered me.
'And... and why are you divorced? Probably you cheated on her! Like most men!'
I didn’t realize I crossed a line. At this point, I couldn't control my words, but despite that, he didn’t show any anger. In fact, he remained annoyingly calm as he replied.
'Ah, the angry girlfriend, angry at all men. Why not take revenge? Instead of wasting your energy being angry, pick someone better than him and cheat on him, just like he did to you. Let that fire in your heart burn him too.' That man has a devil mind and a charming calm voice.
He finished his drink, looking around. 'But not from here. All the drunk bastards are here.'
His words hit me in an unexpected way. He was right. I should find someone better than André. I should let the fire in my chest burn him too.
My eyes landed on that strange man as he drank from his glass again. I hiccupped, unsure if it was the alcohol, but he was too handsome for his own good. His sharp jawline, straight nose, blue eyes, thick eyebrows, and silky chestnut hair… and when his lips touched the glass… I felt my heart race. A strange thought crossed my mind.
I pointed at him. 'You're right. I need to take revenge.'
'That’s the spirit, you shou-'
I cut him off, eyes locked onto his. 'With you. I choose you.'
He blinked, staring at me in disbelief. 'Say what now?'
I leaned in slightly, my vision hazy. "I want you to sleep with me." My voice came out louder than I intended, and a few heads turned in our direction.
He exhaled, placing his glass on the counter. His expression shifted—something unreadable flickered in his blue eyes before he looked away.
'You're drunk, go to your home.'
'No,' I shot back. 'I know what I'm saying.'
He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head
'Do you really?'
'You're the best revenge i could think of, please, I want to sleep with you, you...you said you're straight!'
A few heads turned in our direction. He sighed, visibly annoyed by the unwanted attention, then glanced back at me.
'Look, I don't want to end up in jail for child abuse, go home'
'Child abuse?' My voice rose in disbelief 'what do you think my age is?!'
He smirked. 'Seventeen. Got in with a fake ID. Probably grounded for that big F you got in your exam?' His voice carried that same irritating amusement as he repeated my stupid grade like it was the most important thing in the world. 'Besides, you didn’t even know what a Blue Lagoon was. I was watching you the whole time, worried that maybe some freak would take advantage of you'
Despite his condescending tone, a part of me—one I refused to acknowledge—found it… oddly sweet.
I hiccupped, wobbling slightly as I dug into my purse. My fingers clumsily fumbled with my ID before I shoved it into his face.
'Ha. wrong, i..i am legal, I'm turning 21 next month..i can sleep with older people' ..I squinted at him. 'And you seem… what? Thirties? That’s not too old.'
His laughter was deep, almost genuine.
'thirties? i will take that as a compliment.'
The music thumped around us, the neon lights flashing in erratic rhythms. But in that moment, it felt like we existed in our own little world. His jaw tensed, something unreadable flickering behind his gaze.
Then, without another word, he stood up.
...